2019 Grammy’s Watch: Best Pop Vocal Album

Camila Cabello: Camila – Her first album since leaving wildly popular girl group Fifth Harmony, Cabello set out to find her own voice. Her first single “Havana” had worldwide success and explores her Cuban-Mexican heritage, while the rest of the album flows together quite well. 

Kelly Clarkson: Meaning of Life – This album is the first from Clarkson after her American Idol contract ended. For the first time we are seeing a raw and true version of who Clarkson is musically. Moving away from the heavier influences of pop music in her past, this album has plenty of soul and R&B tunes. This also is Clarkson’s eighth album to debut in the top three of the Billboard 200 chart.

Ariana Grande: Sweetner – This album hit #1 on the Billboard chart, along with having three top twenty singles, as well as containing the illustrious “God is a Woman” track. The record shows growth and maturity for Grande.

Shawn Mendes: Shawn Mendes – This makes Mendes’ third #1 in the U.S to date, with the lead single “In My Blood” peaking at #11 on the Hot 100 chart. The Independent gave the album 4/5 stars, praising maturity compared to past albums. The self-titled album boasts other hits such as “Lost in Japan.”

P!nk: Beautiful Trama – According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, this album was the third globally best selling album of 2017, selling more than 1.8 million copies. Reviews were mixed, with some observers saying the record was too tame, and others saying it got the job done and nothing more. 

Taylor Swift: “Reputation” – In the U.S. this album sold 1.2 million copies in the first week and went on to hit #1 in 13 countries. The Guardian stated “mired in bitterness and gossip but songwriting and lyrical smarts are impossible to deny.” After giving up her country roots, Swift has been dominating the pop scene. 

Who Will Win:

Taylor Swift or Ariana Grande. Grande could squeak by and call this a win, as she proves she has some incredible vocal range and styles. But Swift is still Queen B where it counts, and nobody has ever told Swift no, so she’s the likely candidate to take home the Grammy.

Who Should Win: 

Anyone but Kelly Clarkson. I honestly wouldn’t be upset if any one else nominated won. They put together incredible albums, a lot of them quite young in their career. Clarkson has the longest standing career of all nominated, and for her first post-Idol album she releases this mess of an album that truly bored me.